Festive Preparations - YouLookFab Forum

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Festive Preparations

Beth Ann

Veteran

I'll be debuting my Holiday Capsule on Thursday, but, in the lead up to Thanksgiving, I've been playing with some new combinations.

1. For church, I paired a new Loft tunic sweater with a pencil skirt (with a foiled finish -- it's a bit festive). At first, I thought the coat and the scarf would clash, but I liked the uncommon color choice). It was 17 degrees F when we left the house. Guess I could have used my puffer!

2/3: Without the coat. #3 isn't cropped. Usually, I angle my closet door to hide the toilet, and I don't typically see my reflection in the mirror in the photos, either. I think it's kind of funny. Toilets are definitely NOT festive.

4. My newish Alfani trousers are a great match for the Loft sweater (slightly heathered). I rarely wear monochrome. My daughter told me I reminded her of Sadness from Inside Out. Perhaps it's not my look? This color is a deep merlot.

5. Another monochrome -- this time in navy. The scarf is my festive touch. It was a YLF Santa gift from Lyn (in NZ), and I adore it. The starts have a "Silent Night" sort of theme to me, but this could just as easily be a representation of Hanukkah colors, or the midwinter solstice. I'm layering short and structured over long and drapey. I'm not sure I'll make a habit of monochrome, but this one made me reasonably happy.

6. Singing Dolly Parton's "Coat of Many Colors" for my debut of the crazy cardi. For my festive touch (as if the colors aren't enough), I added my burgundy booties. I like it, although I'm not sure it would be many people's cuppa.

It's late, and I've got to sleep before we decorate tomorrow!

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Dressing

21 replies

Latest reply was from catgirl

anne

Veteran

Beth Ann - your posts make for such good reading! So funny. Number 1 is my favourite. Interesting comment by DD about number 4 - I read it before looking at it and tend to agree, but might have been coloured by the expectation.

I want to hear you sing!!

ma

Veteran

I love the idea of a holiday capsule to wear thru new year! And yours is looking amazing! I really like the color palette...very festive! Happy Thanksgiving!

Anonymous

What lovely pieces you have. I love to see you in all those lovely burgundy and merlot colours and the scarf in the first couple of pics compliments them so well. I'm actually going with the last outfit as my fave. I love the drape and colours of that flowy cardi. And your phone matches!

lyn67

Veteran

I dunno, but love these all! Love the (not so:-)) clashing coat in nr 1! beautiful color for you, and all the outfit! And the maxi cardi is a signature!:-)

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Beth Ann, I know you have told us that you are still finding your fashion (and regular) feet in your new home, but from the point of view of an observer, your style has never looked better! I am not sure I can put my finger on exactly what is going on, but there seems to be an element of ease, or comfort with how you like to put things together, and a confidence about proportion. It's really hard to explain because your outfits last year (and before) were equally terrific from an objective point of view-- so it's more in your bearing or your own self, somehow. I get the feeling that you are the boss of your clothes, or no -- that you and your clothes are good friends! (So much better, don't you think?)

Anyway, all that is to say that I love every one of these, coat of many colours and burgundy booties included!

ETA: and while you may not always wear monochrome, you've done it here with casual sophistication and grace. I like it!

abc

Veteran

Suz put to words very eloquently what I was thinking. I really love how you're putting outfits together these days and I don't think you've ever looked any better. I like the monochrome outfits and the burgandy color is fab on you. Your toilet comment made me laugh

Happy thanksgiving and start to a festive holiday season.

Elizabeth P

Veteran

I'm going to defer to what Suz said as well. Oh to be a writer! I'm really liking the monochrome, that SWEATER! and of course, your toilet.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

WOOHOOOO, Beth Ann. You are Queen Festive Holiday Capsule. I echo what Suz said - and will add that your style is singing.

#5 and #6 are my faves. Killer.

marianna

Veteran

Gorgeous. #5 is my favorite - fun to see blue tones in a festive way! Very pretty.

Beth Ann

Veteran

I'm still pulling together the other outfits in my Mega-Holiday Capsule (I have editing issues), but I'm looking forward to the challenge. I'm planning on enjoying more jewelry in the next few weeks, and have added just a couple of items!

Anne: I'm sure you've seen Inside Out with your girls! Ha! I was content with the all-one-color with the addition of the scarf, and I liked it with a topper, but I couldn't decide if the head-to-toe merlot made me feel minimalist chic, or like a walking bruise (or bottle of wine, which would probably be preferable).

Mala: I can't escape my love for color! I'm working on using it more intentionally this year.

Diane: I debated on purchasing the cardi for a long time --- so bold, but snuggly. It was surprisingly unfussy to wear.

Lyn: Thanks for the cardi love!

Suz: I still feel like I'm standing up in a rowboat, but I have been deliberately shifting some of the proportions in my outfits. Fewer semi tucks, more short over long, more drape with a bit of structure added back in. For my casual days, this really works well. I'm sure you know what I mean when I say that fussy belts, tucks and details make me want to change into my loungewear at home!

ABC: Thanks for the encouragement --- I'm glad to know that I look more settled than I feel!

Elizabeth: My toilet thanks you for the shout out!

Thanks, Angie! Particularly glad to know you like the blue outfit. I've enjoyed this Gap moto (Sveta has it also), but this fall I consciously worked on several outfit combinations. Adding the comfy drapey layer underneath, along with relaxed skinnies, made me feel at ease, but polished.

Marianna: I first added blue to my Holiday Capsule when I walked into my first Advent in my Lutheran church in the Chicago area thinking, "Finally, they'll have the church draped in purple." Nope. It was navy, and I felt cheated. Turns out that either color can represent the season. I was put out at first. I love purple. (Let's get around the fact that worship isn't about fashion for the moment, lol)! I came to enjoy the serenity of the blue. It represents the night sky over Bethlehem to me. Of course, blue is prominent in Hanukkah celebrations, too!

Bonnie

Veteran

I love all of your combinations and the rich colors you are wearing. Your beautiful red scarf goes well with your blues and purples. You have a wonderful coat selection.

Sara L.

Veteran

I think these are all great! I especially love your blue outfit in #5 and the long coat sweater in #6.

merwoman

Veteran

These are all so fantastic - especially love you in blue. #5 is gorgeous with that lovely scarf just breaking up the monochrome palette. And the jacket in 6 is smashing!

Aida

Veteran

Hah these aren't even the holiday capsule outfits yet? They've still got plenty of pre-festive appeal ^^ Quite fond of how the coat plays with the first outfit. LOVE #6 and #5 is equally smashing. I prefer you in the column of blue to the column of burgundy even though the burgundy is a fab color on you (weird?). Perhaps it does have a more melancholy feel than blue does on you, as the blue-out look is quite lively. I wonder if going for a scarf that has some white in it would perk up the burgundy-out.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

These are all fantastic, Beth Ann, and I echo Suz and Angie! I really like that long cardi, and yes!! to the burgundy boots with it. Very festive, indeed. Your posts are always fun.

unfrumped

Veteran

Great outfits!

I also like the blue more than expected since you look so great in berries.
The Joseph's coat is working fine! The boots are not too much--I like the echo and don't think you have to stay totally neutral with the sweater.
Hmm, what's with the monochrome? It should work for you. I certainly would be trying it. Maybe try some small touch of lightening, jewelry or scarf--the scarf in the blue outfit livens it up, for example and goes with your coloring contrast.

Beth Ann

Veteran

Bonnie: Thanks so much! The irony is that I go without a coat as much as possible -- even in cold weather! I must set a better example for my teens!

Merwoman, Sara and Firecracker: Thanks for the thumbs up!

Unfrumped and Aida: The fact that the blue outfit works better than the merlot surprised me too! Perhaps the structure of the third piece helps? More skin -- say with ankle length pants, 3/4 sleeves and a v-neck, might lighten the look. I think monochrome won't be a signature for me, although I'd like to get better at tonal dressing!

Aida

Veteran

I think it's more to do with the bits of skin and the white from the scarf, versus the structure of it. Also the burgundy might be coming across as lower contrast than the blue, simply because burgundy is closer to "skin" color.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

You are beautiful in blues. Totally glowing and looking fantastic. #1 and #5 are my favorites.

Beth Ann

Veteran

Good point, Aida!

Thanks, Shevia! I'll be wearing navy in my holiday capsule, but little cobalt (my coat will get worn, of course). Cobalt will be my secret weapon for surviving January and February!

catgirl

Veteran

Just seeing you and your festiveness makes me happy. I love your inclusive holiday associations too. These deep rich tones are definitely your colors.